"It's the duty of every citizen to participate in the democratic process whether or not there are any important issues on the ballot," said a Lowell House resident and lifelong Cantabrigian who did not give his name.

Still, rent control continues to get people agitated--and it's not about to disappear from Cambridge's radar screen, as the city's several tenants-rights groups show.

And though it's not on the ballot, some voters still passionately care about the issue.

"I think it's terrible. I think a lot of really creative people have been forced out of the city. I think it's a tragedy for Cambridge," said a voter who declined to give his name.

But most voters didn't express the same gravity about the issue.

Margaret McCarthy, 54, a stay-at-home mother, said she does not support rent control and doesn't mind that it is not on the ballot because "a landlord shouldn't subsidize a tenant."

"Rent control is a bad thing because it distorts the market," said the Lowell House resident. "It's clearly not worthwhile. The prices would not be driven that high without rent control."

All these voters had to be pushed to discuss rent control, though. They said they were voting because they felt it was a civic duty, and not necessarily because they were motivated by a particular issue.